Woman, 78, charged in crash that killed 6-year-old in crosswalk
A 78-year-old woman whose car struck and killed a 6-year-old girl and severely injured two other children in October has been charged with several misdemeanors, North Las Vegas city officials said Monday.
The city attorney's office said Alice Alava faces three counts of failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, one count of passing a vehicle while stopped for a pedestrian and one count of failing to give full time and attention to driving.
The charges carry a maximum fine of $1,000 each and up to six months in jail.
North Las Vegas police initially recommended a more serious charge: vehicular manslaughter. The charge, also a misdemeanor, was not filed.
On Oct. 21, Alava, a Henderson resident, was behind the wheel of a car that struck and killed Amelia "Mia" Decker at Camino Eldorado and Bent Arrow Drive.
The crash also severely injured Alyssa and Rain Mowery.
Six-year-old Rain was treated for a fractured skull and released from the hospital. Her sister, 5-year-old Alyssa, was critically injured.
In November, the families of the girls told the Review-Journal that they forgave Alava.
Police Sgt. Tim Bedwell said Monday night that Alyssa was out of the hospital and recovering.
He said Alava will not be arrested but will be summoned to court.
Police said Alava did not brake and her vehicle carried one child almost 150 feet.
A toxicology report determined that Alava did not have drugs or alcohol in her body at the time of the crash.
Michele Terry, Mia's mother, told the Review-Journal last month that her emotions have gone in different directions since the crash.
"At the beginning I wanted to find every possible thing to do to this lady," Terry said. "But I'm not angry at her anymore. It was purely an accident."
Alava's daughters, who could not be reached by email Monday night, released a statement in November.
The daughters, Christina and Felicia, wrote: "The family of Alice Alava has remained quiet up to this point out of respect for the families of Amelia, Alyssa and Rain. We do not want anything to detract from their grief and their process of recovery."
They continued: "We want Mia, Rain and Alyssa's families to know that we have received their sentiments and want to express our sincere gratitude. We are humbled by their spirt of forgiveness. They are true examples of Christians who honor God by example. ...
"We continue to pray for Mia, that her soul rest in peace."
Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.
